Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Ex-CIA chief John Brennan: Russians contacted Trump campaign

The former CIA Director John Brennan told the House Russia investigators Tuesday that Russia "brazenly interfered" in US elections, including actively contacting members of President Donald Trump's campaign but he stopped shy of dubbing it as collusion.Brennan was speaking to the House intelligence committee on the extent of Russia's meddling in the 2016 elections and possible ties to the Trump campaign, where he was asked about how Moscow recruits sources "wittingly and unwittingly." "Frequently, people who go along a treasonous path do not know they are on a treasonous path until it is too late," Brennan said.Brennan said that he first picked up on Russia's active meddling last summer and, in an August 4, 2016, phone call with Alexander Bortnikov, the head of Russia's FSB intelligence agency, warned him against further interference. Bortnikov, Brennan said, denied any active efforts in the election.